Can clarity please be provided as to which rule ultimately governs the size of the robot? Our teams' robots are 11” wide. How should rule R4 be interpreted with respect to R5? [...] At a recent tournament, my team was told by the lead inspector that regardless if their robot passes inspection, if the referees determine that the robot is not within the 11" by 19" starting position on the game field floor, then the match would not start until it is or the team will be disqualified.
R4 states the following, with a portion bolded for emphasis:
<R4> Robots must fit in the sizing box. At the start of each Match, the Robot must be able to satisfy the following constraints:
a. Only be contacting the Floor and/or the Field Perimeter.
b. Fit within an 11” x 19” (279.4mm x 482.6mm) area, bounded by the Starting Position.
c. Be no taller than 15” from the Floor.
This rule works in conjunction with <G4>. <R4> is an “inspection rule”, meaning that a Robot may not pass inspection if it cannot satisfy these constraints. However, <G4> is a “game rule”, meaning that even if a Robot passed <R4> in inspection (i.e. it is theoretically capable of satisfying the constraints), Head Referees will still be watching for it before each Match.
G4 states the following, with a portion bolded for emphasis:
<G4> Pre-match setup. At the beginning of a Match, each Robot must meet the following criteria:
a. Only be contacting the Floor and/or Field Perimeter.
b. Fit within an 11” x 19” (279.4mm x 482.6mm) area, bounded by the Starting Position.
c. Be no taller than 15” from the Floor.
> An offending Robot will be removed from the Match at the Head Referee’s discretion. They will not receive a Disqualification, but they will not be permitted to play in the Match.
Note: Robots must be placed on the Field promptly. Repeated failure to do so could result in a violation of <G1>.
The exact definition of the term “promptly” is at the discretion of the Head Referee and the Event Partner, who will consider event schedule, previous warnings or delays, etc.
The Head Referee and inspector's interpretation of R4 at your event was correct. A Robot which has passed inspection must still demonstrably abide by G4 in each of their Matches.
Violation of G4 is not intended to escalate to an immediate Disqualification, but the Robot in question should not be permitted to play in the Match. However, excessive delays caused by non-compliance may still result in a violation of G1 as stated in the Note.
I was told that the referees would use being able to see the enclosed white floor area around the robot to make that determination. This is subjective in nature considering that if the part of the robot that is 11” wide is not contacting the floor. To truly make this assessment, the referees will need to have a starting position measuring tool.
There is no required method by which Head Referees are expected to enforce G4. In most cases, the visual check you describe should prove sufficient. However, for a Robot which pushes the limit of allowable size, a measuring tool could be as simple as sliding a VEX IQ beam or plate along the edges of the Starting Position. (the crossbar of the VEX IQ Challenge Sizing Tool, turned vertically, could also be used)
Also, regarding VEX IQ Robot Sizing Tool part no. 228-5293, although not stated, will it be used as the official measuring tool at World Championship? More importantly, may it be stated that this is the official tool to use for robot sizing?
We will confirm this in the April 10th Game Manual Update, which usually includes any specific rule changes or clarifications pertaining to the World Championship.
